Retired Marines urge more jobs for veterans

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ANAHEIM There was one issue that cast a dark shadow over the Veterans Day celebration in Anaheim on Saturday: unemployment among veterans.

Members of the nation's military were honored in downtown Anaheim at the Veterans Monument and Plaza. About 50 guests and veterans attended, including Mayor Tom Tait and members of the City Council.

Retired Marine Corps Maj. Gen. John S. Harrel was the featured speaker at the event and devoted about half of his speech to unemployment among veterans, saying that it is an issue of growing concern.

Retired Marine Capt. Robert Gerute echoed his sentiment: “In my mind, (veterans) should have preferences as far as hiring is concerned. They are very dependable individuals who can turn out to be some of the best employees you can find. And although a lot of people give a lot of lip service to it, I don't think it happens enough so far. I think Anaheim is doing what they can, whether it's enough or not enough, who knows.”

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for veterans in 2011 was 11 percent, compared with the national unemployment rate of 8.3 percent. Post-9/11 veterans have the highest rates of unemployment, according to the U.S. Congressional Joint Economic Committee.

The unemployment rate for California veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan was 20 percent last year, according to committee.

Many post-9/11 veterans work in construction, mining and manufacturing, areas hit hardest by the recession. The higher rates of disability among post-9/11 veterans are another reason for unemployment. Although there have been more advances in medicine that has saved more veteran lives, a lot of veterans are unable to work because of service-related traumas.

“About 75 percent of the Marines that serve in their first term (of enlistment) will get out – only 25 percent of them will retain for a career, we try to train and equip and help them transition, but if the economy's tough, that's part of (the problem),” said Christopher Taylor, commanding officer of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

“Some of the young men and women that come out are physically and psychologically injured, and so we have to help take care of them medically, spiritually, as well as giving them opportunity and hope. I think that's the hardest part to get over than not having employment,” Taylor said.

The city of Anaheim has taken numerous steps to honor veterans, including Saturday's ceremony.

“I think it's an under-attended event – I think a lot of people are too busy to do what they should be doing and honoring their veterans because their veterans are the ones who have kept this country what it is,” Gerute said.

In 1999, the Veterans Monument was dedicated to downtown Anaheim, a monument that represents the everyday aspects of military service.

In 2007, the city adopted the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit from Camp Pendleton. In 2010, the Military Banner program was established to honor Anaheim residents who are currently deployed by displaying their faces and names on banners hung throughout Anaheim.

Currently, Anaheim has established the Anaheim Veterans Working Group, which seeks ways to support local veterans.

“If you understand that we are part of your community and you have that engagement, then people will understand what the sacrifices are about – it's about individual liberties and people's service to their communities and their countries. What we ask is for people to understand that these are young people who are serving them to support their liberty and freedoms and the freedoms of all people,” Taylor said.

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